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Lot Essay
This subject was treated on at least two other occasions by Solvyns. A larger oil was with Spink in 1950 (this was signed and dated 1792) and he also engraved the view as the double-page frontispiece to his book The Hindoos, (Calcutta, 1799), in section 9, 17 prints of boats, entitled 'A North-Wester'. This painting shows calmer conditions than those which prevail in the print. The view looks north to the Armenian Church, the Military Orphan House with its four towers visible on the Howrah side.
The Antwerp artist Solvyns arrived in Calcutta in 1791. He found difficulty securing patronage as a portrait painter and made a living through teaching amateurs and restoring pictures. He produced a huge series of coloured etchings entitled A Collection of Two Hundred and Fifty Coloured Etchings Descriptive of the Manners, Customs and Dress of the Hindoos. Although it was not a success, owing in part to the inferior quality of the etchings, Solvyn's work had an unexpected influence over Indian artists painting for British patrons. Oil paintings by the artist are very rare.
This picture will be included in Dr. Robert L. Hardgrave Junior's forthcoming book A Portrait of the Hindus: Balthazar Solvyns in Calcutta, 1791-1803.
The Antwerp artist Solvyns arrived in Calcutta in 1791. He found difficulty securing patronage as a portrait painter and made a living through teaching amateurs and restoring pictures. He produced a huge series of coloured etchings entitled A Collection of Two Hundred and Fifty Coloured Etchings Descriptive of the Manners, Customs and Dress of the Hindoos. Although it was not a success, owing in part to the inferior quality of the etchings, Solvyn's work had an unexpected influence over Indian artists painting for British patrons. Oil paintings by the artist are very rare.
This picture will be included in Dr. Robert L. Hardgrave Junior's forthcoming book A Portrait of the Hindus: Balthazar Solvyns in Calcutta, 1791-1803.